WWE talent tests positive for COVID 19, TV tapings reportedly canceled

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WWE has had another incident of COVID-19 among their workers.

For the second time, someone within World Wrestling Entertainment has apparently contracted COVID-19.

According to Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet, an unnamed individual on their developmental roster has tested positive. That person was last at the WWE Performance Center, where they do all of their TV tapings and live shows at the moment, a week ago. The WWE quickly released a statement regarding the situation, stating that all of the people that have been in the Performance Center will be tested for COVID as soon as possible:

“A developmental talent, who was last on site at WWE’s training facility on Tuesday, June 9, has tested positive for COVID-19. Since that time, no other individuals that attended the facility have reported symptoms. However, out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the health and safety of the company’s performers and staff, all talent, production crew and employees on site at the training and production facilities will be tested for COVID-19 immediately. Following the test results, WWE plans to proceed with its normal television production schedule.”

This has reportedly led to Raw and Smackdown tapings scheduled for today to be canceled, according to John Pollock of Post Wrestling. As of a month ago, Dave Meltzer stated that WWE had reportedly tested no one for COVID. Not a single person. Paul “Triple H” Levesque basically confirmed this on June 4th, saying that they will test when the results are more accurate and that they’re been relying on the health and safety protocols they’ve put in place by working with the CDC and the government.

Meanwhile the UFC is conducting a reported 1200 tests a week according to Meltzer, while the other major player in pro wrestling at the moment, AEW, is reportedly testing everyone on the roster with regularity.

As mentioned, this is the second instance of COVID in WWE’s ranks. Back in April, a member of the company who was identified as an on-screen talent but not an in-ring competitor, tested positive but had already made a full recovery.

The state of Florida has seen a marked increase in COVID cases since deciding to re-open the economy. Orange county (which includes Orlando, where the Performance Center is located) has reported twice as many cases as any other county in the state since they started tracking the numbers.